asked the Minister for Finance the need for a review of a drainage scheme to complete the work on the River Nanny; the cost of completing this drainage; and when it is proposed to finish the scheme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Scheme.
12.
Plans for drainage of the River Nanny, which formed part of the Corrib-Clare drainage scheme, would have to be re-designed and costed to take account of conditions obtaining in the area at present. All arterial drainage planning has been halted by Government direction pending the outcome of a review of arterial drainage policy. Accordingly, progress on proposals to drain the Nanny must await a Government decision on the review.
I cannot understand why this scheme is being re-designed when there are just a few miles of the river to be drained. This scheme was started 25 years ago. Can the Minister give an undertaking now that this small portion of the river will be completed and that work will start immediately?
What the Deputy said is correct to an extent. The Nanny was included in the scheme sanctioned by the Minister for Finance but, because of the possibility of silt damage to the Tuam waterworks the work did not go ahead. There were lengthy discussions with the county council. In July of last year it was agreed that the Commissioners of Public Works could proceed with the outstanding drainage work. There are other factors which might alter the design. The re-exhibition of the proposed works in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act would be necessary to update the design and to formulate an estimate of the cost of the scheme to take account of the present conditions on the ground. For that reason it will be necessary to re-design much of the scheme. I am not suggesting that it will be a full design. As I said, all arterial drainage planning has been suspended pending the outcome of a review of arterial drainage policy.
In view of the fact that the Office of Public Works and the council agree that it is feasible to carry out this work, will the Minister arrange for discussions to take place immediately between his office and the council to have this scheme completed as soon as possible?
The council have said we can go ahead with the remainder of the drainage. There has to be a re-design because of certain factors which did not arise originally. By Government order the planning of schemes has been stopped until the review is considered. It is coming to the Government soon from the Department of Finance.
Can the Minister tell me the cost of completing the drainage?
I cannot tell the Deputy that until the designs are completed. They are not being proceeded with at present.
Will the cost be more than £250,000 which was the figure the Minister gave me the last time I raised this matter?
We could not come up with a final figure, but the estimated figure is £400,000 or nearly £500,000.